7 Health Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid + Side Effects

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Chlorogenic acid is a natural compound found in coffee beans that reduces the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. It can also stimulate weight loss, reduce blood pressure, and improve mood. Read on to learn more about the 7 benefits of chlorogenic acid and potential side effects.

What is Chlorogenic Acid?

Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenol compound found in coffee beans and different types of coffee, including green coffee. It is also found in food sources such as apples, pears, eggplant, blueberries, tomatoes, strawberries, and potatoes [R, R, R, R, R].

Chlorogenic acid is most commonly supplemented in the form of green coffee extract.

It has a variety of effects on health and is most notably used to reduce blood pressure and weight loss. However, recent studies have indicated that chlorogenic acid may improve mood, reduce oxidative stress, and lower blood sugar levels [R].

Note: Many studies refer to chlorogenic acids (plural) as opposed to chlorogenic acid. The plural form refers to a related family of molecules called polyphenol esters and is not exclusively referring to the effects of the individual esterified molecule, chlorogenic acid.

Natural Sources (or Forms of Supplementation)

Green coffee bean extract is the primary natural source of chlorogenic acid and is taken in a supplemental form [R].

Chlorogenic acid is also a component of coffee and many fruits and vegetables, including apples, pears, eggplant, blueberries, tomatoes, strawberries, and potatoes. It is also found in bamboo, hawthorn, and Athrixia phylicoides [R, R, R, R, R].

Mechanism of Action

Chlorogenic acid primarily exerts its effects by inhibiting the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates. Therefore, it reduces the uptake of carbohydrates and glucose during digestion [R, R].

Chlorogenic acid also has a mild psychostimulatory effect, about ⅓ of caffeine. This is mediated by the breakdown products, caffeic acid and m-coumaric acid [R].

Chlorogenic acid may also work by:

Inhibiting 11-βHSD1, an enzyme involved in making hormones that raises blood pressure [R]

Activating the GABAa receptor by binding to the benzodiazepine site, resulting in reduced levels of anxiety [R]

4) Chlorogenic Acid Is Antimicrobial

In a study of 45 individuals with Streptococcus mutans infection (DB-RCT), gargling twice daily for 2 weeks using a green coffee bean extract mouthwash reduced the number of bacteria [R].

In mice with Staphylococcus aureus infection, chlorogenic acid prevented the harmful effects of the bacteria and reduced bacterial number. This was caused by the inhibition of the bacterial enzyme sortase A [R].

Chlorogenic acid exerted antibacterial effects in cells by disrupting the bacterial membranes, leading to cell death [R].

Multiple studies of breast cancer cells have indicated that chlorogenic acid can eradicate cell growth and induce cell death in the tumor [R, R].

In cells, combining chlorogenic acid with the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil increased cell death through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and deactivation of cancer-inducing proteins (ERK1/2) [R].

The antioxidant activity may be attributed to the upregulation of antioxidant proteins such as glutathione and vitamins C and E. Additionally, chlorogenic acid reduced levels of oxidative proteins and reactive oxygen species that induce oxidative stress [R, R, R].

In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, chlorogenic acid improved the spatial and working memory of the mice (Morris water maze). Cell studies indicated a neuroprotective effect against beta-amyloid proteins – the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease [R].

Chlorogenic acid prevented the toxic effects of alpha-synuclein, the protein implicated in the destruction of dopamine-containing neurons and the development of Parkinson’s disease [R].

Side Effects

Allergies to green coffee bean extract, the natural source of chlorogenic acid, have been reported. Symptoms were primarily asthma attacks. However, this does not seem to be due to the chlorogenic acid itself [R, R].

Limitations and Caveats

Most of the studies conducted examined the effects of green coffee bean extracts, which contains a number of active molecules. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that chlorogenic acid is responsible for the results seen. Further studies on the effects of isolated chlorogenic acid should be undertaken to conclusively determine its effects.

Importantly, the majority of studies were conducted in mice, so further testing in humans is needed. Although side effects have rarely been reported, many of the studies conducted were the very short term. Long-term testing is needed to assess the possible side effects.

Furthermore, a number of studies, particularly on green coffee bean extract, were sponsored by companies that profit from the sales of green coffee bean extract. The results are not necessarily invalid, but caution must be used when evaluating industry-funded research.

Drug Interactions

Chlorogenic acid works against metformin, a medication used to treat high blood sugar levels. However, this only occurs in high concentrations of chlorogenic acid, so this is unlikely to have an effect in humans [R].

Consult your doctor if you are taking metformin or any other medications before supplementing with chlorogenic acid.

Use caution when using green coffee bean later in the evening, for the high caffeine content may cause trouble sleeping.

Dosage

Different manufacturers produce green coffee bean supplements that may have more or less chlorogenic acid. The user-recommended dose for chlorogenic acid ranges from 240 mg to 3,000 mg per day, depending on the specific supplement.

User Experiences

Users wishing to obtain the effects of chlorogenic acid supplement with green coffee bean extract, as it is the main source of this compound.

Users reported anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia, although this is likely due to the caffeine content found in green coffee bean extract.

Mild weight loss has also been reported by users, as well as an increase in energy. Some users reported no effect after taking green coffee bean supplements.

FDA Compliance

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

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JOE COHEN

CEO, SelfHacked

About Joe

Growing up, Joe was plagued with a myriad of health issues such as gut problems, autoimmune issues, chronic fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, and general inflammation. Both conventional and alternative doctors weren’t able to help him, so he decided to fix himself. With lots of health questions and few satisfying answers, Joe decided to read every research paper he could get his hands on and conduct thousands of experiments on his own body in order to fix his health issues. Joe started SelfHacked in late 2013 when he successfully fixed all of his issues, and now it gets millions of readers a month looking to educate themselves about how they can improve their health. Joe is now a thriving author, speaker, and serial entrepreneur, founding SelfDecode & LabTestAnalyzer.

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